The Diary of Anne Frank, the story of eight Jews hiding in an attic while a genocide of their people happened around them in World War II, was performed in the SCHS auditorium on October 21-24. This fall, our theatre company spent countless hours to get this play as close to perfection as possible. Through two casts, 700 hours of labor/rehearsal hours, and plenty of building materials used, this show was an amazing story to watch.  

The Holocaust is a tragedy many students have only heard of in their English or History classes. "This play—the main [question] around it is what stories do we know? There are many Holocaust survivors—we don’t know their lives. We don’t know who or how [or] what happened to them. This is how we tell their stories.” Jordan O., the actor who played Mr. Kraler on the Maroon cast, exclaimed. Through powerful words and acting, the story of Anne Frank was able to shine through the auditorium, leaving them intrigued and sitting on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.  

Not only was I proud of the performance that was displayed, but I was also shocked to see every single detail of her diary unfold in front of me. Even some of the actors felt a personal connection to their character. "She is a few years younger than I am at the start but then she is around 15 at the end. And kind of her relationships with all the other characters and kind of seen as annoying or too much. But also: her love for writing. I also love writing and telling stories which she liked," Ava L., the actress who played Anne Frank in the Maroon cast, explained with a smile. The connection made through reciting lines and performing is what makes the story being told amazing. Having that connection between the character and you makes you feel as if you are in their shoes, telling their stories.

But even after the play, there remain many stories waiting to be discovered. Stories searching for a way to be heard. The story of Anne Frank was only one of them yet there are still many more out there to learn about. "Don’t waste time. Don’t doubt yourself. If you want to do something and you’re not sure, just do it. Because that’s what a lot of people did in this show.” Odin F., actor of Otto Frank in the Maroon cast.